Bengaluru; Pocket FM has discontinued its microdrama platform, Pocket TV, as the company sharpens its strategic focus on its core audio business and accelerates its international expansion plans.
The decision comes as competition intensifies in India’s fast-growing microdrama market, where established media companies such as Amazon, JioHotstar, and ZEE5, along with emerging players including Kuku, Eloelo, Dashverse, and ShareChat-backed Quick TV, are investing aggressively in short-form video storytelling.
Pocket TV was launched as an experimental offering to explore the rapidly expanding microdrama segment. However, the platform did not evolve into a meaningful revenue contributor, prompting the company to discontinue the business and redirect resources toward its primary audio-led operations.
According to media reports, employees associated with Pocket TV have been reassigned to Pocket FM’s core business as part of the transition.
The move reflects the company’s broader strategy of strengthening its leadership position in audio entertainment, a segment that continues to account for the majority of its revenue. Pocket FM said it remains profitable, cash-flow positive, and continues to witness robust growth across key international markets.
The strategic realignment comes ahead of the company’s next growth phase, which is expected to include fresh fundraising and a potential public listing in the coming years.
Pocket FM has also been reinforcing its leadership team to support its expansion ambitions. Bank of America executive Abhilash Padival is set to join the company as Chief Financial Officer, while Lalit Gangwar was recently elevated to the role of Chief Operating Officer. Earlier this year, the company also appointed former Meta AI scientist Vasu Sharma to spearhead its artificial intelligence initiatives.
Founded by Rohan Nayak, Prateek Dixit, and Nishanth KS, Pocket FM has emerged as one of India’s leading audio entertainment platforms. The company was last valued at $750 million following its 2024 funding round and has raised nearly $200 million from investors including StepStone Group, Lightspeed, Tanglin Venture Partners, and Naver.
Pocket FM recently crossed an annualised revenue run rate of $400 million, with much of its recent growth driven by AI-enabled content creation and expanding international operations.
The closure of Pocket TV underscores the company’s strategy of prioritising profitable, scalable businesses over diversification, as it prepares for its next stage of global growth in the rapidly evolving digital entertainment market.
